ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA and Goa Shipyard Ltd signs MoU for Rooftop Solar Power Projects
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd.  today signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with Goa Shipyard Limited  to provide its techno-financial expertise to set-up a rooftop solar power project. The two companies are PSUs under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Defence, respectively.
The MoU was signed by Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director , IREDA and Cmde. Bharat Bhushan Nagpal, CMD, GSL in the presence of senior officials.
Under the MoU, IREDA will assist GSL to set-up a rooftop solar power project at the headquarter of the company situated in Vasco da Gama, Goa. IREDA will also extend its techno-commercial expertise to GSL for Environmental & Social  due diligence of rooftop solar and other RE projects as per the internationally accepted E&S standards. After setting up a rooftop solar power project at its building, GSL will be able to bring down the expenditure on electricity and reduce its carbon footprint as well.
Speaking on the collaboration, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA said, "We are pleased to partner with GSL in their pursuit towards adoption of a clean energy solution. The partnership is expected to bring in good practices by leveraging the expertise of both the companies and to push the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for sustainable development of the country through Green Energy. The Govt. of India aims to produce 40 GW of solar power through rooftop solar by the end of 2022, and these collaborations will enable us to contribute to meeting the targets set by the Govt. of India.
In order to cater to the increasing demand of the RE sector, a dedicated Business Development and Consultancy division was set up by IREDA one and a half years ago. Under the new division, this is the seventh MoU signed by IREDA within the last 14 months to provide its consultancy services for developers of RE and Energy transition. Earlier, IREDA had entered into MoUs with SJVN, NHPC, TANGEDCO, NEEPCO, BVFCL, and THDCIL to extend its Techno-Financial expertise for Green Energy projects.
IREDA is looking forward to extending its consulting services to other PSUs and private organisations for the overall growth of the RE sector.
Vice President's Secretariat
Care of the orphaned children is our collective responsibility - Vice President
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today said that it's our collective responsibility to ensure protection and welfare of the orphaned children. He also highlighted the need for a more comprehensive and effective protection for this vulnerable section of population.
The Vice President made these remarks while interacting with a group of orphaned children from 'Force for Orphan Rights and Community Empowerment ' at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas today. These children had come to meet Shri Naidu along with Rajya Sabha MP, Dr. Banda Prakash.
The Vice President discussed the issues of orphan children in India with Dr. Prakash and appreciated the efforts being made for their upliftment. He assured Dr. Prakash of all support in his noble endeavor towards betterment of the lives of orphaned children. Dr Banda Prakash thanked the Vice President for his encouragement and support. Later in the day, the vice President incidentally brought the issue to the attention of two senior ministers, the Union Home Minister and the Defence Minister.
Ministry of Defence
CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF VISITS SRI LANKA
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff , embarked on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka today. During the visit, the CAS is scheduled to meet the Hon’ble President of Sri Lanka, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, the Hon’ble State Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Commanders of Sri Lanka Air Force, Army & Navy, and the Defence Secretary.
The CAS is visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal SK Pathirana. During the visit the CAS shall also interact with student officers of the National Defence College, Sri Lanka and visit the Sri Lankan Air Force Academy. The visit of the CAS will enhance the existing professional ties and bonds of mutual cooperation between both the Nations.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Build brand India for services sector: Piyush Goyal
Services sector to contribute USD 3 trillion to Indian Economy
Commerce & Industry Minister launches curtain raiser of GES 2019
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry & Railways, Piyush Goyal, said that brand India will be developed in order to promote the 12 champion services sectors. He further said that the Commerce and Industry Ministry will support different sectors in the services industry in partnership with States and formulate policies that will enable these champion sectors to grow and expand and contribute in a much more significant way to the Indian economy. The services sector will contribute USD 3 trillion out of the USD 5 trillion economy that India is set to grow to.
Commerce and Industry Minister was speaking at the curtain raiser event of the 5th Global Exhibition on Services  in New Delhi today. GES 2019 will be held in Bengaluru from 26th – 28th November 2019. He expressed his happiness at Bengaluru hosting the GES 2019 as the city cherishes tradition along with modernity. He also welcomed Uttar Pradesh as a partner State in GES 2019.
Piyush Goyal appreciated the efforts being made by Services Export Promotion Council  and Confederation of Indian Industry  in promoting the services sector in an organized manner and said that the sectors like tourism, health care and education will attract investment and create jobs, promote entrepreneurship and attract foreign exchange earnings. The huge potential of the services sector is yet to be tapped and this sector has the capacity to generate large number of jobs and improve the quality of life of citizens and contribute to the Indian economy said the Minister.
Commerce and Industry Minister urged SEPC and CII to focus on tourism and also sectors like legal services, financial and accounting services apart from IT and ITeS so that a bouquet of services encompassing all aspects can be offered to domestic consumers and those travelling to India from abroad.
Piyush Goyal unveiled the trophy of Nations Cup on e-sports or electronic sports competition. E-sports are organized video game competitions especially between professionals. India is poised to take advantage of this growing business through the entire eco-system of e-sports – in areas of player/ team management, coaches, streamers and venues. The e-sports is one of the highlights of GES 2019.
Karnataka Minister for Medium and Large Scale Industries, Jagadish Shettar, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Sudhanshu Pandey also addressed the curtain raiser event. Senior officials of Central Ministries, Departments, State Governments, representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Delhi and services industry were present during the event.
Ministry of Finance
ADB, India sign $50 million loan to boost West Bengal’s digital platforms for public finance reforms
The Asian Development Bank  and the Government of India here today signed a $50 million policy-based loan to improve financial management procedures and operational efficiencies aimed at achieving more fiscal savings, promote informed decision making, and improve service delivery in the state of West Bengal.
The signatories to the West Bengal Public Finance Management Investment Programme were Dr. C. S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance who signed for the Government of India, and Mr. Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission who signed for ADB.
Dr. Mohapatra stated that integration of the state’s financial and information systems through the programme’s whole-of-government approach will help improve delivery of public services and generate fiscal savings that could help the state augment growth-enhancing development financing.
Mr. Konishi said that through support to interoperable e-Government platforms, the programme will ensure streamlining of social protection benefits such as pension and provident fund, facilitate gender-disaggregated data, tax payments, and revenue collection.
Development projects could be better tracked and monitored with the help of a new module within the integrated financial management system  leading to improved project management. A centre for fiscal policy and public finance will be established to deepen capacity of the state government officials on public finance management while developing a web-based grievance redress system for transport corporations and urban local bodies will provide a credible citizen-government interface.
The loan builds up on past ADB policy-based programmes in 2012 and 2017, supporting the Government of West Bengal on sustainable public financial management reforms. These programmes helped develop and implement an IFMS, established successful e-Governance systems for improved revenue administration, undertook measures for expenditure rationalisation, and promoted the private sector’s involvement in service delivery.
The loan is proposed to be supplemented by a $350,000 technical assistance grant for capacity building, monitoring of IFMS reforms, and strengthening the integration of social and gender aspects in reform areas.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
41.18 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
3,03,53,710total recoveries across the country so far
Recovery Rate increases to 97.37%
45,254 patients recovered during last 24 hours
India reports 30,093 new cases in last 24 hours; lowest in 125 days
India's Active Caseload currently at 4,06,130; lowest in 117 days
Active cases constitute 1.30% of total cases
Weekly Positivity Rate remainsbelow 5%, currently at 2.06%
Daily positivity rate at 1.68%, less than 3% for 29onsecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 44.73cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Over 300 High-Yielding Species of Seeds of Pulses notified for commercial cultivation in the country during the last eight years
A total of 304 high yielding varieties of pulses including 81 of Gram, 50 of Arhar, 38 of Mung, 35 of Urd, 33 of Lentil, 23 of Fieldpea, 19 of Cowpea and 25 of other pulses have been notified for commercial cultivation in the country during the last eight years . During this period, a total of 20 high yielding varieties of pulses including 6 of Gram, 5 of Arhar, 3 of Fababean, 2 each of Fieldpea and Mung and 1 each of Lentil and Urd have been notified for commercial cultivation in the state of Bihar.
The ICAR is mandated to produce breeder seed of different crop varieties against the indent from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare . The breeder seed is provided to various public and private seed producing agencies for downstream multiplication into foundation and certified quality seed categories and distribution to farmers. During the last five years, total 96731 quintals of breeder seed of high yielding varieties of pulses were produced by the NARS against the total indent of about 77499 quintals and supplied to the seed producing agencies for further multiplication into foundation and certified quality seed categories and distribution to farmers. About 2329 quintal breeder seed of pulses was produced during the last five years against the total indent of 1562 q by the state of Bihar.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Agriculture Ministry relaxes fumigation condition on imported onion
In the light of public concern over high prices of onions in the market the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to allow relaxation from the condition of fumigation and endorsement on PSC as per the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 for onion imports upto 30th November 2019 on the following conditions:
i) Such consignments of imported onions which arrive in Indian port without fumigation and endorsement to that effect on the PSC, would be fumigated in India by the importer through an accredited treatment provider. The consignment would be inspected thoroughly by quarantine officials and released only if found free from pests and diseases of concern to India.
ii) Such consignments of onions for consumption will not be subjected to the four times additional inspection fees on account of non compliance of conditions of import under the PQ Order, 2003.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of noted Yakshagana playback singer, Shri Balipa Narayana Bhagawatha
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of noted Yakshagana playback singer, Shri Balipa Narayana Bhagawatha.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Shri Balipa Narayana Bhagawatha made a mark in the world of culture. He devoted his life towards Yakshagana playback singing and was admired for his exemplary style. His works will be admired by the coming generations. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Over 1 lakh km of aerial distance covered by Lifeline UDAN flights
Under Lifeline UDAN, 97 flights have been operated by Air India, Alliance Air, IAF, Pawan Hans and private carriers. 71 of these have been operated by Air India and Alliance Air. Cargo transported till date is around 119 tons. Aerial distance covered by Lifeline Udan flights till date is over 1 lakh km.
The cargo includes COVID-19 related reagents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits, Personal protective equipment , masks, gloves, other materials of HLL and ICMR. cargo requisitioned by State/UT Governments and also postal packets
The date-wise breakup of the Lifeline Udan flights is as follows:
|
|
S.
No.
|
|
Date
|
|
Air India
|
|
Alliance
|
|
IAF
|
|
Indigo
|
|
SpiceJet
|
|
Total flights operated
|
|
1
|
|
26.3.2020
|
|
02
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
02
|
|
04
|
|
2
|
|
27.3.2020
|
|
04
|
|
09
|
|
01
|
|
-
|
|
--
|
|
14
|
|
3
|
|
28.3.2020
|
|
04
|
|
08
|
|
-
|
|
06
|
|
--
|
|
18
|
|
4
|
|
29.3.2020
|
|
04
|
|
10
|
|
06
|
|
--
|
|
--
|
|
20
|
|
5
|
|
30.3.2020
|
|
04
|
|
-
|
|
03
|
|
--
|
|
--
|
|
07
|
|
6
|
|
31.3.2020
|
|
09
|
|
02
|
|
01
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
12
|
|
7
|
|
01.4.2020
|
|
03
|
|
03
|
|
04
|
|
--
|
|
-
|
|
10
|
|
8
|
|
02.4.2020
|
|
04
|
|
05
|
|
03
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
Total Flights
|
|
34
|
|
37
|
|
18
|
|
06
|
|
02
|
|
97
Lifeline Udan flights operate in a hub and spoke model. Cargo hubs have been established at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Lifeline Udan flights connect these hubs to locations like Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Agartala, Aizwal, Dimapur, Imphal, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Ranchi, Port Blair and Goa. Special focus has been on the North East Region , island territories and the hill states. MoCA, Air India and IAF have collaborated closely for last mile deliveries to Ladakh, Dimapur, Imphal, Guwahati and Port Blair..
Bulk of the cargo comprises low-weight and voluminous packages containing masks, gloves and other consumables; that require more cargo space per ton of material. Special permission has been taken to store cargo in the passenger seating area and overhead cabins, with due care and precautions.
SpiceJet operated 103 cargo flights during 24-31 March 2020 covering an aerial distance of over 142,000 km and carrying over 800 tons of cargo. Out of these 103 flights, 32 were to international destinations. Blue Dart operated 32 domestic cargo flights covering a distance of 30,800 Kms and carrying over 464 tons of cargo during 25- 31 March 2020. Domestic Cargo Operators SpiceJet and Blue Dart are operating cargo flights on commercial basis.
On the international front, MoCA and Air India are working with Chinese authorities to establish a cargo air-bridge between India and China for critical medical supplies. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the aviation industry is determined to support India’s war against COVID-19 by transporting medical air-cargo to India’s remote corners in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Ministry of Education
Prime Minister to address the post-budget webinar on ‘Harnessing youth power through Skilling and Education’ on 25th February, 2023
It is a part of 12 post-budget webinars being organized by government to seek ideas for implementation of budgetary announcements
Webinar will have 6 breakout sessions covering Budget announcements of Skill and Education Sector, suggestions on implementation and way forward
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the post-budget webinar on ‘Harnessing youth power through Skilling and Education’ on 25th February, 2023 at 10 AM. It is a part of a series of 12 post-budget webinars being organized by the Government to seek ideas and suggestions for effective implementation of the initiatives announced in Union Budget. The Union Budget adopts seven priorities which complement each other and act as the ‘Saptarishi’ guiding us through the AmritKaal. Inclusive development is one of the priorities of the Government, which include Education and Skilling.
The webinar will have six breakout sessions covering both Skill and Education sectors. Besides Ministers and Secretaries of the concerned Central Government Ministries, a host of stakeholders drawn from Education & Skill Departments of the State Governments, industry representatives, students, teachers and faculty from schools and universities, academia & research institutions, Skill Development Bodies, Sector Skill Councils, ITIs, bodies like FICCI, CII, NASSCOM etc would attend these webinars and contribute through suggestions for better implementation of budgetary announcements.
The themes of the breakout sessions are PradhanMantriKaushalVikasYojna 4.0, Skill India Digital Platform, Skill India International Centres, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, and National Digital Library for Children and Adolescents and Teacher's Training.
Click the link below to watch the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Gh0Klm-1s
Prime Minister's Office
PM holds an important meeting to review announcements made in his Red Fort speech
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today held an important meeting to review announcements made in his Red Fort speech.
In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister had mentioned about ensuring affordable credit for poor and middle class housing. In line with this announcement, Prime Minister reviewed the preparations to implement this announcement.
In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister had mentioned about ensuring solar power for households. Prime Minister reviewed preparations to execute this scheme.
Ministry of Defence
Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II, successfully tested
A successful training launch of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II was carried out on June 15, 2022 at approximately 1930 hrs from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. The missile is a proven system and is capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision.
The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile.
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of  ‘7.06% GS 2028’,  ‘7.26% GS 2033’ and  ‘7.36% GS 2052’
The Government of India  has announced the sale  of  “7.06% Government Security 2028” for a notified amount of Rs 8,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method,  “7.26% Government Security 2033” for a notified amount of Rs 14,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method and  “7.36% Government Security 2052” for a notified amount of Rs 11,000 crore  through price based auction using multiple price method. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs. 2,000 crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on April 21, 2023 .
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on April 21, 2023. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on April 21, 2023  and payment by successful bidders will be on April 24, 2023 .
The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA and THDCIL sign MoU for Green Energy collaborations
To provide its techno-financial expertise in developing Renewable Energy projects, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd.  today signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with THDC India Ltd .
The MoU was signed by Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director , IREDA and Shri Rajeev Kumar Vishnoi, CMD, THDCIL
Under the MoU, IREDA will undertake Techno-Financial due diligence of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency &Conservation projects for THDCIL. IREDA will assist THDCIL in developing an action plan to create and acquire Renewable Energy projects for the next 5 years. IREDA will also extend its techno-commercial expertise to THDCIL for Environmental & Social  due diligence of RE projects as per the internationally accepted E&S standards.
Speaking on the occasion CMD, IREDA said: “This MoU will help THDCIL to accelerate their footprints in the Renewable Energy space, who already has portfolio of Solar & Wind energy projects apart from Hydro and Thermal. It will facilitate knowledge transfer, which will contribute todriving sustainable development of the country through Green Energy.”
Shri Das also underlined: “Realizing the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to reduce carbon emissions to 45% by 2030 in India,these collaborations will enable us to contribute for meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement. Also, these efforts can stimulate green investments and create lakhs of jobs.”
This is the sixthMoU signed by IREDA within one year for providing its consultancy services for developers of RE and Energy transition. Earlier, IREDA had signed MoUs with SJVN, NHPC, TANGEDCO, NEEPCOand BVFCL to extend its Techno-Financial expertise for Green Energy projects.